A/N: Next chapter is finally up! Sorry it took so long! I had finals and
so on and so forth. What great fun!
Shout Outs
NadaZimri Haha, I'm glad that you like that drunken scene. Trust me it was fun to write! ( Jack is just so curious and brotherly. I guess he has to be. I mean c'mon he is the Manhattan leader
Tiggerbaby2430 It's ok. I don't mind. Yep Spot and Misfit had gotten together. As for Oscar and Morris, well ......you have to wait and find out.
April Singing is happy. Hi shoe buddy!
Smiley Cad I'm glad you like my story! I feel so happy! That's how I find stories too. I go on someone's review list thing or I look at their favorite stories or authors.
Chapter 10
It was a little after noon and most of the newsies were sitting inside the little diner known as Tibby's. I was sitting in a booth and across from me sat Mush. He was obviously waiting for someone because he fiddled anxiously with his straw.
"What time didja get home last night?" he asked breaking the silence.
"Prolly 'round midnight-I'se kinda had a delay," I responded. Just then our food came out. Nice and hot.
"Yeah, wit' Spot. By dah way didja evah answah him?"
"No foah dah first one an' yeah foah dah second," I stated as I took a bite out of my sandwich.
"So what didja say?" he curiously asked.
"Yeah."
"Well dat's great! Jus' be careful. Like I'se said before Spot has a -"
"New goil each week," I interrupted. "Don't worry 'bout me. I'se will be fine."
"Okay. So what was dah delay last night?" he pondered and then took a bite out of his hotdog.
"Let's jus' say dat Blink an' Race went back tah their yester-years."
"Wha?" But before I could explain Spot and Striker walked through the door. Last night Striker and Spot went back to Brooklyn while Bailey, Vines, and Candle spent the night in the Manhattan Lodging House.
"Hey, Spot! Whatcha doin' back here so soon?" yelled Race from the opposite side of the diner. He then quickly regretted shouting because he was still getting over his hangover.
"I'se came ovah tah see me goil!" Everyone went back to what they were doing before the Brooklynites entered the restaurant.
Spot sauntered over to my table, Striker right behind him. I slid over so that he could have some room. Mush had done the same for Striker. Spot placed his arms across my shoulders. I smiled in return. "So Mush are ya an' Strikah a couple now?"
"Well, I'se guess ya can say dat," Striker replied for Mush. He had a grateful smile plastered on his face. I guess he just didn't know how to respond.
"An' da same wit' ya an' 'Fit, huh?" Mush said stating the obvious.
"Yeah," I replied glancing toward Spot. " So Spot how long are ya stayin' foah?"
"Dat all depends," he said with a smirk creeping upon his face.
"On what?" I asked confused.
"You." Striker and Mush got up from the table, leaving Spot and I to talk alone.
"What do ya mean 'you'?"
"Well, I'se came ovah tah spend some time witchu. I'se tought dat we could get tah know each oddah a little more. Ya know like bondin' an' I'se have all day."
I hesitated but then finally agreed. "Okay."
Meanwhile
Mush and Striker left the restaurant and took a stroll down to Central Park. They walked hand-in-hand in a comfortable silence. It was a nice afternoon. The sun was high in the sky and a light breeze came about every minute or so.
"So we're officially a couple now?" Mush asked making sure he had heard her correctly in the restaurant.
"Yeah I'se guess we are," Striker smiled. "Sure we only had one date, but I'd like ta go on another. We could even sit an' stare at each other if ya like." Mush playfully shoved her to the side. Unlucky for her she stumbled over an uprooted cobblestone. She fell face first for the ground, but before she even touched the road, Mush stepped in and saved the day. Well at least Striker's face.
He caught her by the waist with one arm and slowly brought her back up in a standing position.
"Sorry," Mush said sheepishly and at the same time Striker had said a quick "thanks." He chuckled while she just smirked. They started walking again, so that they wouldn't block the people walking through the streets or get hit by a carriage.
"Apology accepted." Striker reasoned.
"Tanks an' no sweat. But I'se am truly very sorry 'bout dat." He stated becoming a little embarrassed.
"Like I'se said apology accepted," Then they wondered back to the Manhattan Distribution Office to get the afternoon addition.
== == ==
Shortly after SilentStriker and Mush left, Spot and I decided to take a walk as well. As a matter of fact we were strolling down the Brooklyn Bridge towards Brooklyn. The bridge was semi-crowded. Younger kids chased each other down the side of the bridge. A few carriages passed by and the noise of the hoof beats echoed in the air. As we walked we stared straight ahead.
"What's your favorite color?" Spot asked looking at me as he still kept a steady pace. We were going back and forth on asking each other questions, so that we could know some personal stuff about each other.
"Prolly green. It reminds me of dah life an' nature. What 'bout ya? Do ya have favorite color or will it ruin your reputation tah much?" I said slyly. As I said it I still stared ahead, watching the people walk by.
"Yeah I'se have one. It's red. Ya gotta problem wit' dat?" his infamous smirk started to creep up on his face.
"No, I'se don't. Okay next question. How didja become Brooklyn's leadah?" I curiously asked. I faced him to see his expression and how he reacted to the question. Spot just had an annoyed look upon his face. People must have asked him this question a billion times, well at least the ones that he had met after he became leader. I felt kind of stupid asking this question. I didn't want to pester him about it, but it was too good to pass up.
"Ahh dah beloved question. Do I'se really have tah say dah whole story? Again?" He said stalling on the subject. I honestly don't think that he wants to tell the whole story again. But too bad, he's going to have to.
"Yeah, ya do." I said not willing to give in to his offer.
"Fine," he sighed. " 'Bout four years ago, I'se became an official Brooklyn newsie." I must have had a confused look plastered on my face because he explained what it meant to be an 'official' Brooklyn newsie. "Tah be an official Brooklyn newsie ya gotta pass a test an' ya have tah have been a Brooklyn newsie for at least three years. After I'se became leadah I'se immediately whipped out dat rule. Anyways back tah dah story. Dah last leadah was havin' some problems-"
"What kinda problems?" I interrupted before he could go on.
"I'm not suppose tah say cause a promise is a promise, but lets jus' say dat he could get intah some serious shit. Well he had some problems an' he needed tah leave Brooklyn as quickly as possible. Now I'se wasn't too happy tah here him say dat he had tah leave. He was like me idol. I looked up tah him an' he took care o' me. He was like dah big bruddah dat I'se aint nevah had," he paused tah take a breath, but then continued on with the tale.
"An' since I'se was so close tah him, he trusted me. Yeah, I'se was only thoirteen, but Skillet trained me for about three weeks. After dose three weeks were over he said I'se was ready an' he took off. An' now here I'se is Brooklyn's leadah an' strollin' down dah bridge wit' a beautiful goil." He said finishing off the tale by giving his biggest grin I have ever seen coming from him.
"Oh, I'se tought dat you'se killed dah last leadah or somethin'" I said disappointedly. But then my frown soon turned into a smirk. Hehe. I thought that I would mess with his mind a little.
"Hey!" he said playfully, smirking as well.
" 'K me turn now! What happened tah ya parents? Ya said dat ya were livin' wit' your uncle an' I'se was jus' curious as tah what happened tah your folks."
I tensed up and stopped walking. Spot stopped walking as well. I haven't talked, or even mentioned, my parents in a while. It wasn't a topic that came to my mind that often anymore. I just figure now what's in the past is in the past and there is nothing you can do about it.
"I'se thought dat newsies had a strict rule 'bout talkin' 'bout dere pasts," I stalled.
"We'se do, but ya started dah game an' now ya have tah go," he urged.
Spot did have a point. I did start the game and it is my turn. So basically I don't have a choice. I had to go, whether I liked it or not. We had walked over to a bench that was at the end of the bridge; so that one, we could rest our feet and two, so that we wouldn't block any more traffic.
I just sighed and began with my story." Okay where tah began," I paused to think of where I should start the tale.
"When I'se was little, 'bout six or so, I'se lived in Boston. Ya should of seen it Spot! It was dah best. It was somewhat like New Yawk's cities, but bettah! Durin' dah day it was clean an' everyone was nice tah each oddah. But durin' dah night all the action happens. All o' dah gang fights an' parties. I'se wasn't in any o' dem o' course. I'se was only six, but I'se could hear dem goin' on. Dah music an' gun shots. It was a little scary listenin' to the guns go off, but I'se got used tah it. I'se even made up a game. I'se would guess how many bangs I'se could hear before dah shootin's would begin. An' den I'd count until I'd fall asleep," I smiled at the memory. Spot starred at me in wonder and gestured me to keep going with his hand.
"Okay. Well one night, it was a night during a fight, me dad had tah take out dah trash. It jus' so happened dat dah fight was right out side me house an' me dad was kind o' stuck in dah middle. I'se tink dat me dad knew them because one o' dah guys started tah talk wit' him. It seemed like dey were arguin' ovah somethin', but I'se didn't know what. Bein' a curious little kid, I'se jus' had tah find out what was goin' on. So I'se snuck out o' me bedroom o' our apartment an' inta dah livin' room. I'se peered out o' dah window tah get a bettah look."
"Dah guy dat me dad was talkin' wit, was big an' bulky. He seemed as if he were a giant. I'se jus' watched in amazement o' how big someone could get. I'se tought dat me dad was tall. This guy had tah have been a few inches ovah six feet. Anyways back tah dah story. Well dey were talkin' an' den it started tah get a little physical. I'se screamed at dah sight when me dad had gottened hit ovah dah head an' den fall tah dah ground. I'se thought dat he was superman. He nevah got hurt. Me muddah must have heard me scream cause she came runnin' out in her nightgown."
"She saw me dad an' den ran out dah front door. I'se followed but I'se stood by dah opened door. She ran tah me faddah, who was knocked out cold. 'What the hell was that for?' I'se remember her yellin' at dah guy. She had gotten up an' attempted tah slap him, but was grabbed at dah wrist by dat guy. Dah oddah guys were standin' in dah background. Dah guy gave the most evil smile I'se have evah seen. I still remembah it. Well he smiled that sickly smile an' just replied ' Your husband owes me some money and if I don't get it by the end of the month, your going to pay'."
I had to take a breath from lack of air. Spot stayed quiet the whole time. Never once did he interrupt. "Well after dat night me parents tried tah get money as fast as dey could. Dey each had three shifts. Me muddah had tah even go intah prostitution an' I'se didn't even know what dat meant at dat age. Dey had tah strive day an' night just tah have enough money. We had tah skip some meals to save up dah money. A month had pass since dat night an' dah guys came back. Dey stood outside our door waitin' foah me parents tah come out. Dey came out an' dah guy had asked foah dah money. Me folks unfortunately didn't have all o' dah money an' dah guy had shot me parents, dere on dah spot."
I didn't even let tears fall as I said these words. I couldn't, they were all gone from crying at nights when I was younger. "I'se didn't have any family dat lived in Boston. All I'se had was me uncle dat lived here in New Yawk. Me Uncle found out what happened a few days later an' decided tah come an' take me in as one of his own. An' well dat's it."
"I'se sorry."
"Don't worry 'bout it. What's done is done." I shrugged. I hadn't even told one lie, when I told the story. All this had actually happened, I just left Morris and Oscar out of it.
He hugged me and stated, "It's getting' dark an' I'se bettah get ya home." Indeed, it was getting dark. We had been talking all afternoon and as we did we walked across the whole Brooklyn Bridge. (We were walking slowly and we had stopped a few times, so it took three times as long.)
"Thanks, but I'se can walk home by meself," I stated in defense releasing from the embrace.
"Well, at least let me walk ya to 'Hattan. I'se don't want ya tah walk ovah da bridge when it's dark. Someone could push ya off of dah edge." Yeah, I'm sure that will happen.
"Fine," I sighed.
Shout Outs
NadaZimri Haha, I'm glad that you like that drunken scene. Trust me it was fun to write! ( Jack is just so curious and brotherly. I guess he has to be. I mean c'mon he is the Manhattan leader
Tiggerbaby2430 It's ok. I don't mind. Yep Spot and Misfit had gotten together. As for Oscar and Morris, well ......you have to wait and find out.
April Singing is happy. Hi shoe buddy!
Smiley Cad I'm glad you like my story! I feel so happy! That's how I find stories too. I go on someone's review list thing or I look at their favorite stories or authors.
Chapter 10
It was a little after noon and most of the newsies were sitting inside the little diner known as Tibby's. I was sitting in a booth and across from me sat Mush. He was obviously waiting for someone because he fiddled anxiously with his straw.
"What time didja get home last night?" he asked breaking the silence.
"Prolly 'round midnight-I'se kinda had a delay," I responded. Just then our food came out. Nice and hot.
"Yeah, wit' Spot. By dah way didja evah answah him?"
"No foah dah first one an' yeah foah dah second," I stated as I took a bite out of my sandwich.
"So what didja say?" he curiously asked.
"Yeah."
"Well dat's great! Jus' be careful. Like I'se said before Spot has a -"
"New goil each week," I interrupted. "Don't worry 'bout me. I'se will be fine."
"Okay. So what was dah delay last night?" he pondered and then took a bite out of his hotdog.
"Let's jus' say dat Blink an' Race went back tah their yester-years."
"Wha?" But before I could explain Spot and Striker walked through the door. Last night Striker and Spot went back to Brooklyn while Bailey, Vines, and Candle spent the night in the Manhattan Lodging House.
"Hey, Spot! Whatcha doin' back here so soon?" yelled Race from the opposite side of the diner. He then quickly regretted shouting because he was still getting over his hangover.
"I'se came ovah tah see me goil!" Everyone went back to what they were doing before the Brooklynites entered the restaurant.
Spot sauntered over to my table, Striker right behind him. I slid over so that he could have some room. Mush had done the same for Striker. Spot placed his arms across my shoulders. I smiled in return. "So Mush are ya an' Strikah a couple now?"
"Well, I'se guess ya can say dat," Striker replied for Mush. He had a grateful smile plastered on his face. I guess he just didn't know how to respond.
"An' da same wit' ya an' 'Fit, huh?" Mush said stating the obvious.
"Yeah," I replied glancing toward Spot. " So Spot how long are ya stayin' foah?"
"Dat all depends," he said with a smirk creeping upon his face.
"On what?" I asked confused.
"You." Striker and Mush got up from the table, leaving Spot and I to talk alone.
"What do ya mean 'you'?"
"Well, I'se came ovah tah spend some time witchu. I'se tought dat we could get tah know each oddah a little more. Ya know like bondin' an' I'se have all day."
I hesitated but then finally agreed. "Okay."
Meanwhile
Mush and Striker left the restaurant and took a stroll down to Central Park. They walked hand-in-hand in a comfortable silence. It was a nice afternoon. The sun was high in the sky and a light breeze came about every minute or so.
"So we're officially a couple now?" Mush asked making sure he had heard her correctly in the restaurant.
"Yeah I'se guess we are," Striker smiled. "Sure we only had one date, but I'd like ta go on another. We could even sit an' stare at each other if ya like." Mush playfully shoved her to the side. Unlucky for her she stumbled over an uprooted cobblestone. She fell face first for the ground, but before she even touched the road, Mush stepped in and saved the day. Well at least Striker's face.
He caught her by the waist with one arm and slowly brought her back up in a standing position.
"Sorry," Mush said sheepishly and at the same time Striker had said a quick "thanks." He chuckled while she just smirked. They started walking again, so that they wouldn't block the people walking through the streets or get hit by a carriage.
"Apology accepted." Striker reasoned.
"Tanks an' no sweat. But I'se am truly very sorry 'bout dat." He stated becoming a little embarrassed.
"Like I'se said apology accepted," Then they wondered back to the Manhattan Distribution Office to get the afternoon addition.
== == ==
Shortly after SilentStriker and Mush left, Spot and I decided to take a walk as well. As a matter of fact we were strolling down the Brooklyn Bridge towards Brooklyn. The bridge was semi-crowded. Younger kids chased each other down the side of the bridge. A few carriages passed by and the noise of the hoof beats echoed in the air. As we walked we stared straight ahead.
"What's your favorite color?" Spot asked looking at me as he still kept a steady pace. We were going back and forth on asking each other questions, so that we could know some personal stuff about each other.
"Prolly green. It reminds me of dah life an' nature. What 'bout ya? Do ya have favorite color or will it ruin your reputation tah much?" I said slyly. As I said it I still stared ahead, watching the people walk by.
"Yeah I'se have one. It's red. Ya gotta problem wit' dat?" his infamous smirk started to creep up on his face.
"No, I'se don't. Okay next question. How didja become Brooklyn's leadah?" I curiously asked. I faced him to see his expression and how he reacted to the question. Spot just had an annoyed look upon his face. People must have asked him this question a billion times, well at least the ones that he had met after he became leader. I felt kind of stupid asking this question. I didn't want to pester him about it, but it was too good to pass up.
"Ahh dah beloved question. Do I'se really have tah say dah whole story? Again?" He said stalling on the subject. I honestly don't think that he wants to tell the whole story again. But too bad, he's going to have to.
"Yeah, ya do." I said not willing to give in to his offer.
"Fine," he sighed. " 'Bout four years ago, I'se became an official Brooklyn newsie." I must have had a confused look plastered on my face because he explained what it meant to be an 'official' Brooklyn newsie. "Tah be an official Brooklyn newsie ya gotta pass a test an' ya have tah have been a Brooklyn newsie for at least three years. After I'se became leadah I'se immediately whipped out dat rule. Anyways back tah dah story. Dah last leadah was havin' some problems-"
"What kinda problems?" I interrupted before he could go on.
"I'm not suppose tah say cause a promise is a promise, but lets jus' say dat he could get intah some serious shit. Well he had some problems an' he needed tah leave Brooklyn as quickly as possible. Now I'se wasn't too happy tah here him say dat he had tah leave. He was like me idol. I looked up tah him an' he took care o' me. He was like dah big bruddah dat I'se aint nevah had," he paused tah take a breath, but then continued on with the tale.
"An' since I'se was so close tah him, he trusted me. Yeah, I'se was only thoirteen, but Skillet trained me for about three weeks. After dose three weeks were over he said I'se was ready an' he took off. An' now here I'se is Brooklyn's leadah an' strollin' down dah bridge wit' a beautiful goil." He said finishing off the tale by giving his biggest grin I have ever seen coming from him.
"Oh, I'se tought dat you'se killed dah last leadah or somethin'" I said disappointedly. But then my frown soon turned into a smirk. Hehe. I thought that I would mess with his mind a little.
"Hey!" he said playfully, smirking as well.
" 'K me turn now! What happened tah ya parents? Ya said dat ya were livin' wit' your uncle an' I'se was jus' curious as tah what happened tah your folks."
I tensed up and stopped walking. Spot stopped walking as well. I haven't talked, or even mentioned, my parents in a while. It wasn't a topic that came to my mind that often anymore. I just figure now what's in the past is in the past and there is nothing you can do about it.
"I'se thought dat newsies had a strict rule 'bout talkin' 'bout dere pasts," I stalled.
"We'se do, but ya started dah game an' now ya have tah go," he urged.
Spot did have a point. I did start the game and it is my turn. So basically I don't have a choice. I had to go, whether I liked it or not. We had walked over to a bench that was at the end of the bridge; so that one, we could rest our feet and two, so that we wouldn't block any more traffic.
I just sighed and began with my story." Okay where tah began," I paused to think of where I should start the tale.
"When I'se was little, 'bout six or so, I'se lived in Boston. Ya should of seen it Spot! It was dah best. It was somewhat like New Yawk's cities, but bettah! Durin' dah day it was clean an' everyone was nice tah each oddah. But durin' dah night all the action happens. All o' dah gang fights an' parties. I'se wasn't in any o' dem o' course. I'se was only six, but I'se could hear dem goin' on. Dah music an' gun shots. It was a little scary listenin' to the guns go off, but I'se got used tah it. I'se even made up a game. I'se would guess how many bangs I'se could hear before dah shootin's would begin. An' den I'd count until I'd fall asleep," I smiled at the memory. Spot starred at me in wonder and gestured me to keep going with his hand.
"Okay. Well one night, it was a night during a fight, me dad had tah take out dah trash. It jus' so happened dat dah fight was right out side me house an' me dad was kind o' stuck in dah middle. I'se tink dat me dad knew them because one o' dah guys started tah talk wit' him. It seemed like dey were arguin' ovah somethin', but I'se didn't know what. Bein' a curious little kid, I'se jus' had tah find out what was goin' on. So I'se snuck out o' me bedroom o' our apartment an' inta dah livin' room. I'se peered out o' dah window tah get a bettah look."
"Dah guy dat me dad was talkin' wit, was big an' bulky. He seemed as if he were a giant. I'se jus' watched in amazement o' how big someone could get. I'se tought dat me dad was tall. This guy had tah have been a few inches ovah six feet. Anyways back tah dah story. Well dey were talkin' an' den it started tah get a little physical. I'se screamed at dah sight when me dad had gottened hit ovah dah head an' den fall tah dah ground. I'se thought dat he was superman. He nevah got hurt. Me muddah must have heard me scream cause she came runnin' out in her nightgown."
"She saw me dad an' den ran out dah front door. I'se followed but I'se stood by dah opened door. She ran tah me faddah, who was knocked out cold. 'What the hell was that for?' I'se remember her yellin' at dah guy. She had gotten up an' attempted tah slap him, but was grabbed at dah wrist by dat guy. Dah oddah guys were standin' in dah background. Dah guy gave the most evil smile I'se have evah seen. I still remembah it. Well he smiled that sickly smile an' just replied ' Your husband owes me some money and if I don't get it by the end of the month, your going to pay'."
I had to take a breath from lack of air. Spot stayed quiet the whole time. Never once did he interrupt. "Well after dat night me parents tried tah get money as fast as dey could. Dey each had three shifts. Me muddah had tah even go intah prostitution an' I'se didn't even know what dat meant at dat age. Dey had tah strive day an' night just tah have enough money. We had tah skip some meals to save up dah money. A month had pass since dat night an' dah guys came back. Dey stood outside our door waitin' foah me parents tah come out. Dey came out an' dah guy had asked foah dah money. Me folks unfortunately didn't have all o' dah money an' dah guy had shot me parents, dere on dah spot."
I didn't even let tears fall as I said these words. I couldn't, they were all gone from crying at nights when I was younger. "I'se didn't have any family dat lived in Boston. All I'se had was me uncle dat lived here in New Yawk. Me Uncle found out what happened a few days later an' decided tah come an' take me in as one of his own. An' well dat's it."
"I'se sorry."
"Don't worry 'bout it. What's done is done." I shrugged. I hadn't even told one lie, when I told the story. All this had actually happened, I just left Morris and Oscar out of it.
He hugged me and stated, "It's getting' dark an' I'se bettah get ya home." Indeed, it was getting dark. We had been talking all afternoon and as we did we walked across the whole Brooklyn Bridge. (We were walking slowly and we had stopped a few times, so it took three times as long.)
"Thanks, but I'se can walk home by meself," I stated in defense releasing from the embrace.
"Well, at least let me walk ya to 'Hattan. I'se don't want ya tah walk ovah da bridge when it's dark. Someone could push ya off of dah edge." Yeah, I'm sure that will happen.
"Fine," I sighed.